Press Release

Michigan Municipal League Calls on State to Address Municipal Finance Concerns

The following can be attributed to Anthony Minghine, associate executive director and chief operating officer of the Michigan Municipal League.

“The state’s consensus revenue projection shows modest additional funds available for state government for the 2017-18 fiscal year. Unfortunately, because our municipal finance system doesn’t track with economic conditions, residents of Michigan’s communities aren’t enjoying the benefit from our state’s recovery from the recession.

Revenue sharing cuts have cost our communities $7.5 billion since 2002. These cuts, combined with the decline of property values from the Great Recession, have hampered communities’ ability to restore public safety, repair roads and other infrastructure, meet needs for parks and recreation, and address other major priorities. From 2002-2012, Michigan was the only state in the nation to see municipal revenue decrease, and there has been minimal improvement since.

If we want our communities to retain and attract highly mobile talented individuals from other states to increase prosperity, we need help from our lawmakers and Gov. Rick Snyder to address these issues.”

Michigan Municipal League is dedicated to making Michigan’s communities better by thoughtfully innovating programs, energetically connecting ideas and people, actively serving members with resources and services, and passionately inspiring positive change for Michigan’s greatest centers of potential: its communities. The League advocates on behalf of its member communities in Lansing, Washington, D.C., and the courts; provides educational opportunities for elected and appointed municipal officials; and assists municipal leaders in administering services to their communities through League programs and services. Learn more at mml.org.